Meet the Alumni: Sara Wuehler
Class of 2007
Sara Wuehler, PhD, MS, RD
Year of graduation from UC Davis: 2007
Current position: Consultant/Creator, Wuehler Solutions
My research in Ecuador, along with Peace Corps in Gabon, were critical in demonstrating international experience to potential employers. However, what is most important is to demonstrate the ability to see beyond self.
Describe your focus area in the field of Global Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Global Health or other
At the start of my UCD training in 1999, the new DRIs were coming out, in which the DRI for zinc among young children was set at 3 mg/day, a drop from the previously recommended 10 mg/day. Further, the recommended upper limit was set at 7 mg/day. These were reasonable recommendations based on available research, but most research was in high income countries. My research focused on whether this low dose would be adequate in settings in which children are exposed to frequent infections, particularly resulting in frequent diarrhea.
How did you become interested in your field?
As a dietitian, most of my clients had poor nutrition because of poor choices. I wanted to learn more of what could be done for those who would make good choices given better opportunities. This was a naïve attitude. I quickly learned that poor choices have multiple underlying motivations. The global nutrition field promotes opportunities for good choices, but people are motivated by more than good sense and access.
What advancements in your field are you most excited about?
What I love most is that across the years I’ve been working in international nutrition, outsiders like me have less and less value and need. I love that people I used to train and mentor are are now leading nutritionists and professors in their countries and mentoring others to eventually take their places.
What are the main gaps/needs for the future in your field?
The primary opportunities I see in global nutrition for outsiders/ ex-patriots such as myself, are 1) in mentoring local researchers or program implementors who have not had access to the level of training available in programs such as UCD, and 2) in monitoring development donor funds to optimize their effective and efficient use.
What do you like most about your current career position?
I love working with such talented people across the world. It is clear that the only advantage I have had in this field is to have obtained a doctorate from a prestigious university. My role has been focused on mentoring to “work my way out of a job.” There will soon be no need for external technical support as local individuals obtain high quality training and apply that training in mentoring others.